God's grace is arguably the most important concept for you to understand and live by in the battle to be godly. Because it is so important, we should understand how it works in our lives, the enemy of our souls has created much confusion and controversy on this subject. However, if you can fight your way clear in understanding and applying God’s grace, you will experience a close relationship with God and consistent victory over sin.
could not fathom Christian truth and conduct, even going so far as to persecute them. As Christians, we cannot even begin to consider our salvation apart from God's amazing grace! Grace
runs counter to the way the world, perhaps, that's why it’s so difficult for us to grasp. The world works on a merit system However, there is nothing that we can do to earn God's grace!
God's grace is His active favor in bestowing the greatest gift upon those who deserve great punishment. God in His grace gave His Son to redeem those in the bondage of sin. His grace, the glorious grace that brings salvation, is for all men who will receive it. Salvation is at the door of every man's heart since the grace of God has appeared to all of them. God, in His grace offers salvation to every one however, many will reject it, they will not respond to the grace of God which shines into human darkness. It’s the idea of grace suddenly shining forth into the moral darkness. We can't just go out and get it; God brings it to us. It is because God loves the whole world , that His plan for redemption is readily available to all men. It’s available to all, however, you must choose to receive it. It must be received, in order that the power of the Holy Spirit be activated in your life.
John 1:12-13 says "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."
In other words, Grace is everything for nothing to those who don’t deserve anything. Grace is being given not what we deserve but what we need. It is God’s active favor whereby His greatest gift is bestowed upon those who have deserved the greatest punishment.
We were in opposition to God, we were at odds. The fact that we are made right with God is by an act of grace, not by some ritual or works that we do. Here is the thing many Christians today need to understand; we are not worthy, we don’t deserve it and we can never earn it. You can’t borrow, bribe or barter for it, because it's a gift. When someone gives you a gift, you don't pay for, you receive it. That's the beauty of a gift, you just receive it.
When Martin Luther was ordered to recant what he had written he refused: "Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen." Salvation is by grace; its by God's grace, otherwise God would not get the glory. As we look back upon the grace that appeared at Christ's first coming, as we look ahead to the glory that awaits, we have been given the power to live a life pleasing to God. Hope, is what helps us to keep going. Allow me to boldly say, this is not an imaginary hope as some have implied, it is a visible hope, because He will return bodily; and it is a glorious hope because we will finally see Him in His glory. The grace of God teaches us to be godly and His coming glory is an incentive for us to be involved in doing what is good.
As a footnote, the hope that we as Christians possess, is not like the hope of those in the world, a hope that is a dead end, its going nowhere. Our hope, is a promise. A hope that God, Himself, has promised us in His Word! Our hopes must rest on the Blessed Hope, not in a person or political party. Now, I know that's a little off topic, however, I believe that it is imperative that we understand that. Therefore, we are to spread the Good News to those who have no hope.
In I John 3:2-3, John the Baptizer, said "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
The coming of Jesus Christ was the light of the grace of God’s salvation dawning upon this sin filled, broken and fallen world. While I believe that we can lament the fact that our country is beginning to look more and more like Crete every day, however, allow me to remind you, that Jesus Christ is coming again to receive those who belong to Him, so we should be fired up to make a difference in our world, bringing as many as we can with us!
The entire human race could rightly expect, that they would be punished for their sins. But God — I love that— But God, in an offer of mercy, has stepped down from His Judgment Throne of Glory, to take upon Himself the guilt and penalty for our sin, His payment satisfied justice and made it possible to bestow His mercy upon us, the wretched hell-bound sinner, that we are. Beloved, we are still living in the age of grace. In other words, God is withholding His judgment, His punishment because He doesn't not want any of us to perish. But soon, the period of grace will be over and it will be time to "pay the price" for your sin. However, you need to understand, that we must acknowledge our sinfulness to God and put our faith in Jesus Christ, Who has already taken the penalty for your sin upon Himself. But you must choose to accept it. And, if you die without receiving Christ as Savior, or if He returns and you've rejected Him, the time for His grace will be over and you will be judged for all your sin. I need you to get that.
Verse 13-14 says "looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds."
God's grace does so much more than just save us, it instructs us. It trains us how to live. So it is not enough to simply renounce our sinful and evil desires; we must also actively live for God. We must not only fight against lust and temptation, but we must receive grace to involve our self in active service for Christ. Christ's death was an sacrifice that was made for us, because we could not make it ourselves. Christ gave Himself over death as an offering to atone for sins, and He was resurrected, that we may have eternal life.
In I Peter 1:18-19, Peter says "knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
God helps us to say no in some situations and yes in others. When we must bear a heavy burden, handle a difficult situation, or witness to a neighbor, His grace enables us to say yes and to do it in His strength. God's grace not only strengthens us to say yes to many difficult areas of obedience, but also to say no to overwhelming temptation.
Grace instructs us so that we may live consecrated lives while looking for the Blessed Hope. We are to be living in expectation of Christ's return, our only hope and glory is beyond this world. Our hope rests upon Christ's Second Appearing. Grace that enables us to say yes to Christ, and enables us to say no to sin.
In Closing....
Christ's blood purifies us and makes us God's own special possession. God's action in Christ purified and made us His peculiar people, now, peculiar does not mean odd or strange, but special people that are possessed by God and not by this present age. Therefore, our speech, actions and lifestyles should reflect Christ's qualities. We are to emulate Jesus to the world, and when we behave like Jesus, we will show love, kindness, patience, and forgiveness to others, even those who are deserving of it. Just as we ourselves have not deserved. However, it is those characteristics , that will set us apart from those in our society who spend much of their time looking out only for themselves. So I encourage you to remember the price that Jesus paid to redeem you from your sins.
Paul says in II Corinthians 5:21, "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Christians have lived for over twenty centuries with the hope that they will
witness the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Today, we are closer than we have ever been
May it be so..
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen